Safety Information and Procedures

We want you to be fully aware of the emergency policies and procedures Taylor has in place. Here you can find out how Taylor is prepared to handle emergencies, along with other policies and procedures relating to safety on or around campus. For more information consult the student handbook or contact the Office of Campus Safety.

To report a crime or emergency, members of the campus community should call the campus emergency line at 998-5555. All campus phones in public areas have the emergency number posted on the phone. This number is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the lobbies or public areas of all campus buildings there are free on-campus public phones from which the Taylor University Police Department can also be reached by dialing x85555.

The Taylor University Police Department maintains both direct telephone and two-way radio contact with Upland Police Department, Gas City Police Department, Upland Fire Department, Grant County Sheriff's Department, Grant County Ambulance Service, and the Indiana State Police. The 911 system is also available as back-up to the Taylor University emergency phone system. Students are encouraged to dial 9-9-1-1 to ensure quicker response to an emergency.

A crime may be reported to any campus security authority or any member of the Taylor University Police Department.

Campus security authorities are:

VP for Student Development and Dean of Students

Director of Housing

Director of Student Programs

Director of Calling and Career Office

Director of Intercultural Programs

Assistant Director of Intercultural Programs

Director of Counseling Center

Director of Student Ministries

Director of Health Center

Residence Hall Director

Campus Pastor

Director of Residence Life Programs

Dean of Residence Life and Discipleship

Director of University Apartments and Coordinator of Off-Campus Community

However, for reporting of sexual assaults, members of the Counseling Center staff and faculty and staff of the Campus Ministries Office may not be required to report some crimes to the Chief of Police of the Taylor University Police Department when knowledge of the crime has come to them in the performance of their counseling duties. Information about reporting a sexual assault is listed pn this page under the heading "Sexual Assault."

Access to Campus FacilitiesMost campus buildings and facilities are accessible to members of the campus community, and to guests and visitors during normal business hours, Monday through Friday and limited hours on Saturday.

All buildings are currently using a key lock, or card access system. The administrative and service buildings are locked after business hours and on weekends. The academic buildings are locked by midnight during weekdays and by the early evening hours on Saturday, except where University functions requested by authorized faculty/staff and confirmed through the Taylor University Police Department, necessitate otherwise. Almost all buildings remain locked on Sundays.

The main lounges of all residence halls are closed to members of the opposite sex at 1:00 am daily. Gerig Hall, Bergwall Hall, and Swallow-Robin, which house both men and women, are closed to non-hall residents at this time. The main entrances of all residence halls are locked at 1:00 am every night. Other doors are locked from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am every night, depending on University faculty/staff needs and upon proper authorization from the Taylor University Police Department. Entrances in all residence halls are unlocked at 9 am each morning. Persons entering after halls are locked may be requested to show their Taylor ID card to the assisting staff person.

Maintenance and Security of Campus FacilitiesTaylor University is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for those who are a part of the Taylor community. In recent years exterior lighting along the walkways, parking lots and building exteriors of the campus has been significantly improved. Periodic surveys are completed by the Taylor University Police Department and the Physical Plant Department to determine if lighting is adequate. Members of the campus community are encouraged to report any lighting deficiencies to the Taylor University Police Department at x85396 or the Physical Plant Director at x85224.

Exterior doors on campus buildings are checked and secured each evening by Taylor University Police officers. Any door and security hardware operating deficiencies are reported by the officers to the Maintenance Department. Parking lots and facilities are actively patrolled by Taylor University Police officers every shift.

Security Awareness and Crime Prevention ProgramsThe philosophy of Taylor University, Upland, is to prevent crime rather than react to crimes already committed. Through educational programs, alerting students and staff to previous activity, asking for voluntary assistance, and asking each person to be responsible for his/her own security and the security of others, much can be done in the area of prevention. In addition to the prevention programs listed in Sexual Assault Policy below, the following programs and projects are employed by this campus:

Emergency telephones...campus phones located in public areas of every building have the emergency phone number posted on them.

Crime prevention presentations...a number of crime prevention and safety presentations are given annually to staff and students. These usually take place in the residence halls or dining commons.

Students and staff are strongly encouraged to be the "eyes" and "ears" of Taylor University Police Department by immediately reporting suspicious activity by calling x85555.In addition to crime prevention, the Taylor University Police Department provides the community with timely reports of crimes committed on or off campus considered to be a threat to students or employees through campus bulletins, The Echo (the weekly school newspaper), residence hall directors, and announcements in classes and chapels.

Tornado Disaster Plan

Statistics indicate that the State of Indiana is fifth nationally in the number of tornados experienced each year, based on land area percentages. Statistically the State of Indiana is second in the number of casualties per square mile. The highest frequency of tornados in Indiana occurs in April with June a closesecond. Due to these facts plus our own concern for the general welfare of the Taylor community, the following tornado disaster procedures have been developed. It should be noted that public schools and parochial schools that are commissioned have been required to prepare such a plan pursuant to Rule G-3, Section 18, as revised and adopted by the commission on General Education, July 16, 1974. (NOTE: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PROVIDES SEVERE WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES.)

Definitions

Tornado WatchA tornado watch indicates that weather conditions are such that a tornado could form. Normal activities may be continued, but you should "watch" for tornados.

Tornado WarningA tornado warning indicates that a tornado has actually been sighted and that all persons should seek appropriate shelter. Tornado warnings are typically 45 minutes in length.

Equipment

One siren (on top of the Reade Center)

One mobile public address system (Campus Police)

Emergency lighting installed in the Science Center and the Dining Commons kitchen area and residence halls where none exist

With the cold winter months of Indiana now upon us, we find ourselves once again planning for periods of snow and ice on our beautiful campus. With this in mind, we offer these simple reminders and procedures designed to maintain a safe environment for all of the Taylor University Community.

Winter Safety Reminder

Certainly, with the cold weather, comes the snow and ice on the roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. Please use care and caution when walking and driving anywhere on campus and keep in mind the ‘black ice" that is prevalent this time of year, may not be readily visible, but it could still be there. Leave a little earlier than usual to allow yourself more time to get to safely your destination.

Along with leaving a little earlier, take the time to warm up your vehicle and thoroughly clean off your windows of any snow and ice for proper visibility. It is not only unsafe to operate your vehicle while looking through a small hole scraped in your windshield, but could also constitute a violation of Indiana Motor Vehicle Law regarding a vision obstructions of the windows. This certainly presents a real hazard to you, other motorists, and pedestrian traffic.

Should you observe a specific area in need of immediate attention due to slick and hazardous conditions, i.e. driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, or campus roadways, please contact Campus Safety immediately, so we can advise Buildings and Grounds of the condition.

In the event that you are injured in a slip and fall anywhere on campus property, please report the incident to Campus Safety as soon as it is possible to do so.

Lastly, as a reminder during the threat of inclement weather, please tune to one of the following stations for updates and relevant information:

Snow Removal Procedures

If you plan to be away from campus for extended periods of time (three days or longer) during the winter months (December, January, February and March), please park your vehicle in the south Rediger Auditorium parking lot.

If a vehicle is preventing snow plows from clearing any university parking lot or roadway, the Department of Campus Safety will attempt to contact the owner regarding the immediate removal of that vehicle. If the Department of Campus Safety is unable to contact the owner, a wrecker service will be employed to remove the vehicle at the OWNER'S EXPENSE. Towed vehicles will be transported to the soccer field parking area and will remain there until all expenses have been paid by the owner. A Campus Safety officer will remain at the scene until the towing process is complete. Taylor University will not be responsible for accidental damages that might occur during this procedure.

There will be NO OVERNIGHT PARKING (12 midnight until 7:00 am) allowed during the months of December, January, February and March in the following parking lots:

Identity theft occurs when an individual or group of individuals obtain and utilize your personal information (date of birth, social security number, credit card/checking/banking account numbers, etc.) for personal gain.

The frequency of this crime is increasing dramatically, as the Federal Trade Commission reported that there were over 9 million identity theft complaints filed in 2004.

The following is a list of cost-effective precautions that can maximize your level of protection against identity thieves:

Do not put your social security number, driver's license number, telephone number, or date of birth on your personal checks. In addition, protect this information at all times from "Shoulder Surfers" who look for victims in public locations such as malls, airports, etc. Be especially alert for these thieves at car rental counters, hotels, airport check-in counters, public telephones, etc.

Memorize all personal numbers, passwords, and PINS. If you write them down for future reference, place them in a secure place. Use a fictitious, even absurd, password, rather than passwords that publicly identify you (family name, address, pet name, etc.) as passwords.

Use a cross-cut shredder to dispose of all documents (bills, personal communications, applications for credit cards, outdated credit cards, etc.) that contain personal information, when you are finished with them.

Never provide personal information when responding to telephone solicitations. And remember: If the telephone offer is too good to be true, it's too good to be true. In other words, it's a fraud.

Never put your credit card number on an Internet Web site, unless you are absolutely sure that it is a reputable company that uses encryption techniques to provide its consumers security. If you're not sure about the security of a Web site, you shouldn't enter your credit card information.

Do not have your checking account checks delivered to your mailbox because it's too easy for a thief to drive by your house and take them out of the mailbox before you get home from work. Instead, pick up your checking account checks at the bank.

If you have fallen victim to an identity thief, you should take the following steps immediately:

Report the theft of your identity to your local police agency.

Report the theft of your identity to every financial institution with which you have credit and close your credit accounts. Close the accounts that have been tampered with and those that have been fraudulently opened. When you open new accounts, avoid using the same passwords. Remember: Your passwords should have no connection to information that is publicly known about you.

Sexual Assault Prohibited. Any commission of a sex offense prohibited by Indiana or federal law is a violation of Taylor University's Sexual Assault Policy and the University's Life Together Covenant. Members of the student body, faculty, support staff, and administrative personnel are included under this policy and within the agreement of the "Life Together Covenant." Any violation of this policy may lead to criminal sanctions or discipline up to and including expulsion or termination as applicable.

Reporting Sexual AssaultsTaylor University encourages all victims of sexual assault to report such incidents to any Campus Security Authority (list provided under the heading "Report a Criminal Action or Emergency"). The decision to file a report with the Taylor University Police Department or any other local, county, or state law enforcement agency is to be made by the victim. Filing a report with the police does commit the victim to pressing charges but not necessarily to testifying in court. While follow-up options are presented and discussed, the final decisions are left to the victim. Student Development personnel will help victims contact the police if assistance is requested.

Following a sexual assault, the victim's physical well being is a primary concern because of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and/or physical injuries which may not be apparent. All victims should seek immediate medical attention; however, even if time has passed, it is important to seek medical care.

Victim? Here's What To DoIf you are a victim of a sexual assault, get to a safe place as soon as you can. Then you should:

Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not bathe, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing.

Call the Taylor University Police Department (998-5555) or another police agency -- even if you are unsure about testifying in court.

Get medical attention as soon as possible. The Taylor University Police Officers or other police will help you with this.

Call a close friend, residence hall director, or other trusted person who can be with you for support.

Investigations and HearingUpon receiving a report of sexual assault, the appropriate vice president will conduct an investigation in cooperation with the Chief of Police or his designee and will conduct hearings in accordance with established procedures. Sexual assault victims are entitled to have a person(s) of his/her choice present during any and all segments of the hearing process. Sexual assault victims are entitled to be informed of the status of any and all phases of the hearing process, including the outcome.

Person(s) accused of sexual assault are entitled to have the person(s) of his/her choice present during any and all segments of the hearing process. Accused person(s) are also entitled to be informed of the status of any and all phases of the hearing process, including the outcome.

Education/Services in the Prevention of Sexual AssaultThe Taylor University Police Department offers several educational seminars that are specifically designed to prevent the occurrence of sexual assault. Seminars are offered to student, faculty, and staff groups upon request. Contact the Taylor University Police Department to schedule seminars.

The Taylor University Police Department provides an escort service during hours of darkness for person(s) who may be walking on campus. Call x85555 to request an escort.

Crime prevention materials are made available to students, faculty, and staff upon request. Crime awareness posters are periodically distributed on campus.

The Taylor University Police Department provides the community with timely reports of crimes committed on or off campus considered to be a threat to students or employees through campus bulletins, The Echo (the weekly school newspaper), residence hall directors, and announcements in classes and chapels.

The Sexual Assault Services Consultants (representatives from Academic Affairs, Personnel, Counseling Center, Residential Life, Taylor University Police, chairperson, and Health Center) are a central referral source for information relating to the rights, options, and services available to a sexual assault victim. Specifically, consultants are knowledgeable about campus and community referral resources which can provide medical, legal, counseling, advocacy, and academic assistance. The University will change a victim's academic and living situations after an alleged sex offense, if those changes are requested by the victim and are reasonably available. Consultants can discuss these options. The consultant should not be expected to provide specific or detailed legal, medical, or counseling guidance to a victim and must refrain from doing so unless licensed in the respective field. The consultant is expected to inform the victim both verbally and in writing of the existence and location of services available to assist the victim of a sexual assault. Call x85395 for more information on the Sexual Assault Services Consultants.

For Further InformationTaylor University Police Department (765) 998-5396Emergencies x85555

The Taylor University alcohol and drug abuse program extends far beyond minimum requirements for such programs. Taylor University does not permit the use of alcohol or drugs on or off campus. For this reason the extensive program strives to reach five distinct outcomes:

Training and information which may prevent some students, faculty and staff from abusing drugs and alcohol.

Training for the campus community so that they will more readily identify current problems.

An increase in the level of competency of intervention techniques in a manner that is caring and correct.

Better referrals to appropriate agencies and follow up with needed support.